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Assistant Director of Advising

Apply now Job no: 528096
Position Type: Staff Full Time
Campus: UMass Boston
Department: CM - Undergraduate Program
Pay Grade: 31
Date opened: Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Eastern Daylight Time

General Summary: 

The Assistant Director of Advising and Student Success has a multipronged role in our office focused on providing academic advising that will improve student retention and reduce time to graduation, support students in developing and reaching their individual academic goals, and aid students in accessing resources that enhance their student experience. Additionally, the selected candidate will coordinate our learning community program specifically for transfers students (TRAIL: Transfer Resources for Academics, Involvement and Leadership) and advance the program to best meet the needs of transfers students as they enter the College of Management and progress toward graduation.

As an advisor, the incumbent will provide advising and retention related activities to the College of Management’s (CM) Undergraduate Program. The incumbent will also coordinate activities and events for the TRAIL Program, including but not limited to coordinating, Transfer Student Orientation advising and registration sessions and preparation, TRAIL Program social events, transfer credit review process for all CM students seeking transfer course equivalencies, and networking activities to connect transfer students with faculty and peers.

The person in this role should also stay aware of academic programs at feeder schools that we can partner with to make the transition to the College of Management as smooth and efficient as possible for transfer students; be aware of evolving needs of transfer students including those seeking fully online academic experiences, assess all programs and services in the College through the lens of the transfer student experience ensuring consistent equity and access for our transfer students.

Examples of Duties: 

  • Provide comprehensive academic advising and related services to students in the College of Management (CM) and ensure services provided meet the needs of the students;
  • Serve as a designated advisor for an assigned caseload of students;
  • Work with prospective and current management students to help them meet academic and programmatic requirements for graduation;
  • Assist students in course selection and on-time degree completion;
  • Help students understand University and College policies as they pertain to academic progress;
  • Make referrals to, and connections with, other University departments;
  • Maintain regular communication with a caseload of students them regarding academic deadlines, policies, resources and opportunities that will enhance their academic experience;
  • Assist students in selecting potential concentration or track;
  • Participate in orientation programs by assisting new CM students with making a smooth transition to campus;
  • Conduct group and individual advising sessions, in person and/or virtually, as part of the University-wide orientation program;
  • Work on selected projects or campaigns with goals oriented toward student retention;
  • Deliver advising presentations at First Year Seminars, Satisfactory Academic Progress workshops, Orientation (summer and winter) and others as needed;
  • Stay abreast of current advising theory and trends;
  • Master university-specific and other technological tools to advise and communicate with students and faculty;
  • Maintain accurate student records, advising notes and files;
  • Act as a team member in the office’s mission to provide high-quality advising and student support with the goal of increasing student retention and graduation rates.
  • Advocate for and support the successful transition of new students joining our learning communities to the College of Management and their path to graduation in the following ways:
  • Coordinate academic and co-curricular support and opportunities for College of Management learning communities with special attention to for new Transfer students (TRAIL program)
  • Identify appropriate courses for cohorts and select sections to create program schedules across College of Management learning communities each semester;
  • Create community building opportunities for students in the TRAIL Program;
  • Consider community or similar community opportunities for transfer students who are pursing an online degree option; students in CM majors other than Management; or other significant transfer student sub-populations;
  • Review existing and new initiatives and programs in CM through the lens of equity and inclusion for all transfer students;
  • Maintain familiarity with feeder schools to determine effective ways to partner with programs to increase transfer student enrollment and success;
  • Develop and administer assessment tools to track effectiveness of programs and resources for transfer students and use this information for continual improvement of these programs.
  • Oversee the TRAIL Peer Mentors, who are students who assist in student success for the TRAIL Program;
  • Promote the Peer Mentor position, select and hire the Peer Mentor team each year
  • Train the Peer Mentors to be effective and professional leaders within the program and college
  • Supervise the assigned duties of each Peer Mentor.
  • Introduce new orientation programs and/or materials for UMass Boston students who successfully complete the program/major change process into the College of Management, including:
  • Expediting any necessary transfer credit reviews;
  • Introducing these new students to resources within the College;
  • Prepare materials, including potential workshops for non-College of Management UMB students who wish to change their major to one in CM to help them understand the acceptance criteria and process.
  • Oversee the Student Assistant work study team, who are students who assist the operations of our front desk and assist in various office projects;
  • Promote the Student Assistant position, select and hire the Student Assistant team each year
  • Train the Student Assistants to be effective and professional leaders within the college
  • Supervise the assigned duties of each Peer Mentor.
  • Schedule Student Assistant coverage for the front desk year round
  • Monitor work study award usage with the goals of maximizing student earnings and ensuring office coverage without gaps or payment through non-work study funding.
  • Schedule the College of Management Writing Assessment (CMWA) testing dates for the College with special attention to making it accessible to new transfer students;
  • Explore the development of opportunities for new transfer students to take CM assessment exams at their local college before orientation on campus;
  • Coordinate CMWA preparation workshops and materials with the CM Writing Director
  • Coordinate the transfer course equivalency review process of new transfer students and current students who are interested in study abroad or taking courses at another college/university
  • Work with designated department reviewers to have new transfer courses reviewed;
  • Complete paperwork to have courses with new equivalency updated in the campus system;
  • Assist students in understanding the equivalency outcomes of their courses and how the credits fit into the student’s degree progression.
  • Lead the College of Management Transfer Orientation New Student Advising and Registration sessions and related sessions for new transfer students
  • Prepare course recommendations for new transfer students;
  • Coordinate pre- and post- orientation communication from the College for new transfer students;
  • Develop materials and talking points for advising staff colleagues to successfully promote the TRAIL program during individual and group registration sessions.
  • Collaborate with other UPO staff to deliver the LAUNCH Program (Learn And Understand your New Collegiate Home), a one day college-based orientation program for new College of Management first year and transfer students.
  • Participate in all recruitment and yield events, including open houses, welcome days; and graduation related events such as commencement and convocation and other college events throughout the year;
  • Be the lead representative for CM during specified Transfer Open House events
  • Ensure compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other state & federal regulations;
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: 

Master’s Degree and a minimum of two (2) years of providing direct student services in higher education or related programs required; higher education academic advising experience preferred. Knowledge of current student development theory and research required. Experience working with both first year and transfer students is strongly preferred. Experience collaborating with faculty preferred. Work schedule may be flexed to extend into evenings. Occasional weekends may be required.

  • Knowledge of current student development theory and research;
  • Understanding of professional development needs of business students;
  • Proven ability to work with diverse populations;
  • Ability to learn and uphold the accreditation standards mandated by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB);
  • Ability to utilize technology to promote access, efficiency and effectiveness of programs and services offered by CM
  • Ability to use and understand student success data in advising;
  • Ability to effectively and efficiently work in a team capacity with a broad range of staff to accomplish departmental and program goals;
  • Ability to exercise good judgment in prioritizing tasks and meet deadlines;
  • Ability to independently handle multiple projects at the same time;
  • Strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;
  • Strong interpersonal skills;
  • Strong commitment to customer service.

 

Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date. 

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting.  All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: 

Grade: 31           

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HRDirect@umb.edu or 617-287-5150.

Applications close: Eastern Daylight Time

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All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

The University of Massachusetts Boston provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, or membership in any other legally protected class. The University of Massachusetts Boston complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the university operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.

UMass Boston normally does not provide H-1B visa sponsorship for non-academic positions.

The University of Massachusetts Boston is committed to providing a safe and secure environment that is supported by qualified employees for all of its students, faculty and staff to carry out the University's teaching, research and public service missions. As a condition of employment, the University will conduct appropriate background check reviews. For more information, please see the University of Massachusetts Boston campus policy and procedures for employee background reviews.